Manhole cover



Patented Nov. 27, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

LOUIS iannnnnrrr' or ooLU urtIs, onio, AssIGivoR To ELsA n; THEOBAL GUENTHER, or COLUMBUS, OHIO. V

iuANHoL-E covnn.

Application filed August 29, 1925; Serial No; 53,416.

This invention relates to manhole covers especially adapted for use in streets and sidewalks, although not in any way restricted to such use.

Briefly stated, an important object of the invention is to provide simple and reliable means whereby a manhole cover may be held in place against tipping and accidental turning and against blowing off as a result of gas or other pressure.

A further object is to provide a manhole cover which is simple to operate, durable in use, and cheap to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be ap parent during the course of the following description. p

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved manhole cover in place;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1 through the improved manhole cover applied, the view illustrating the locking means for the manhole cover;

Fig. 3 is a vertical detail sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a manhole ring having a base flange 6 by means of which the ring may be anchored in a street,

a sidewalk, or the like. It is to be understood that the invention is not in any way restricted in its use in connection with a street or sidewalk, since it is capable of use in large tanks, reservoirs, and such. The ring 5 is provided adjacent the upper end thereof with an internal annular flange or shoulder 7 upon which the disk-shaped cover 8 rests so that the top surface of the cover is flush with the upper end of the ring, this feature being clearly shown in Fig. 2. The cover 8 is provided with a series of annular and radial reinforcing ribs 10 and 11, respectively, on the under side thereof and by means of which the cover is enabled to withstand the strain to which the same is naturally subjected, Fig. 2 clearly illustrates that the under side of the cover 8 is provided adjacent the periphery thereof with a radial lug 12 extended downwardly and cooperating with the cover in the formation of a socket to receive a portion of the internah shoulder 7. Therefore, when the: cover is in place as shown in Figr-2 it Will be,

securely held at one side against upward movement. The radially disposed lug 12 extends between and is, of course, formed: in-

tegral with two of the reinforcing ribs 10 and;

cooperates with these ribs in strengthening and reinforcing the cover. Y

The cover is provided adjacent the opposite 1 side thereof with a pair of depending apertured bearing members 14 which slidably receive the sliding bolt 16, the forward portion of which is somewhat enlarged and is adapted to seat beneath one side of the internal shoulder 7. It will be observed that the ring 5 is provided with a pair of spaced triangular ribs or members 18 which join the shoulder 7 and thereby cooperate with the shoulder in forming a socket for the reception of the forward terminal portion of the bolt 16. When the bolt 16 is received in the socket defined by the ribs 18 and the adjacent portion of the shoulder 7 and when the lug 12 is received in the socket provided by the triangular members 20 and the adjacent portion of the shoulder 7 the cover is securely and positively held against accidental tilting or upward movement as a result of gas or other pressure.

Fig. 2 illustrates that a coil spring 24 of I to its advanced position so that the cover is normally locked. It will be seen that the actuating member 26 which may be in the nature of a suitably stout stem or bolt is extended through a radial slot 30 in the cover, which slot is extended entirely through the cover for the passage of dirt or other obstructions which would be likely to interfere with the free movement of the bolt 26. The bolt, however, does not extend above the surface of the cover 8. The actuating member 26 may be engaged by any suitable means and drawn toward the inner end of the slot so as to retract the bolt 16 when it is desired to open the cover. Particular attention is directed to the fact that since the slot 30 extends all the way through the cover 8 a suitable hook or other tool may be extended through the slot and engaged with the under side of the cover to aid in lifting the cover from its seat.

A manhole cover constructed in accordance with this invention may be economically manufactured and when in place will not be easily dislodged or tilted. It is safe, durable, and eflicient and since there are few parts to get out of order it will require little or no attention. Having thus described the invention, Wha

- is claimed is:

A manhole construction comprising a cyllndrical casing having an lnternal clrclunferential flange spaced from 1ts upper end.

said flange having subjacent reinforcing and from the bottom of said cover and engageab-le beneath said flange and 'into said sockets whereby to prevent said cover from turning, a latchbolt, a pair of-bosses projecting from the bottom of said cover and having alined bearings spaced from the cover and in which said bolt is slidingly mounted in spaced relationship to the cover and in a plane below said flange, an upstanding operating handle for said latch bolt, said cover having a slot through which said handle extends, and

a coil springsurrounding said latch bolt and interposed between one ofsaid bosses and said handle for normally holding the bolt in advancedposition beneath said flange.

Intestimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LOUIS BENEDETTI. 

